31 minutes ago, aderwent said:

The lot between this building and the AC was originally supposed to be an eight floor office building. That's why there are no windows on that side. 

 

And even if that specific office building doesn't go there, something will eventually be built there.

47 minutes ago, aderwent said:

The lot between this building and the AC was originally supposed to be an eight floor office building. That's why there are no windows on that side. 

I think they are still planning on doing something in that lot. It would be crazy to leave it parking. That land is worth to much money to leave a parking lot. 

18 minutes ago, VintageLife said:

I think they are still planning on doing something in that lot. It would be crazy to leave it parking. That land is worth to much money to leave a parking lot. 

 

I would imagine all those surface lots and one story buildings will be redeveloped over the next decade or so. And if they can move that electric substation things will really take off. 

Remember when the parking garage was supposed to be "finished" with a collection of advertisement boards? Over a year later and the 670-facing facade remains blank concrete.

^Probably something something supply chain. 🙄
 

I do like the proposed video sign for the hotel, though:

 

 

37 minutes ago, amped91 said:

^Probably something something supply chain. 🙄
 

I do like the proposed video sign for the hotel, though:

 

 

OBM Always seems to do good work. 

 

Seems ironic that this would be allowed when the Cap development had to remain a blank wall on both sides to avoid driver distractions. Times have changed lol

47 minutes ago, amped91 said:

^Probably something something supply chain. 🙄
 

I do like the proposed video sign for the hotel, though:

 

 

I think there was concern about how bright it would be for the residents across the highway. I think they had to readjust what they had originally planned. 

I'm less concerned over a blank garage wall facing 670 than the actual condition of the cap. It's deteriorating and so far, I've not seen anything that says it's going to be fixed up. The Goodale/Neil portion looks horrid and the temporary murals they used to help cover it were not well conceived either. (The panels themselves. Not the art) 

 

We really need the city and state to come through on that and just revamp that portion especially as the North Market Historic District portion of the AD fills up. 

3 minutes ago, DTCL11 said:

I'm less concerned over a blank garage wall facing 670 than the actual condition of the cap. It's deteriorating and so far, I've not seen anything that says it's going to be fixed up. The Goodale/Neil portion looks horrid and the temporary murals they used to help cover it were not well conceived either. (The panels themselves. Not the art) 

 

We really need the city and state to come through on that and just revamp that portion especially as the North Market Historic District portion of the AD fills up. 

Let’s start the push for capping the whole damn thing. 

Boston's Big Dig but in reverse.

I'll scream it from every rooftop that 670, 70, and 71 could and should be entirely capped through most of the core with parks, transit, and boulevards on top but there's not enough backing, especially now that they missed the opportunity for 70/71 revamp.  'Cap Capable' in some spots isn't enough IMO. 

 

 

 

 

5 hours ago, DTCL11 said:

I'll scream it from every rooftop that 670, 70, and 71 could and should be entirely capped through most of the core with parks, transit, and boulevards on top but there's not enough backing, especially now that they missed the opportunity for 70/71 revamp.  'Cap Capable' in some spots isn't enough IMO. 

 

 

 

 

 

The problem is and will continue to be ODOT, which is pretty much entirely made up of highway construction interests.  They only know how to make roads bigger, not cover them up.  The city has been trying to get them to cover up 70/71 for decades.  The "cap capable" bridges were the compromise because ODOT doesn't want to spend the money on such a project otherwise.

On 6/21/2022 at 1:15 PM, VintageLife said:

On the agenda for the Downtown commission will be a conceptual review of a 7 story, 6 unit building at 116 Spruce St. Will have a partially enclosed rooftop patio. Parking appears to be at the ground level. 

 

 

The commission seemed pretty into this one, need more of these developments in the short north and downtown area. 
 

here is what some said during the meeting, from a Columbus underground article, 

 

“Commission Chair Steve Wittmann said it was a “very interesting proposal, a good use of a 25 foot lot…scale-wise, I don’t think its crazy.”

“I think it’s quirky and interesting,” added commissioner Bob Loversidge. 

Other comments focused on the ground-floor parking garage – which in the plan is open to the street and would require a continuous curb-cut along Armstrong Street – and the back wall of the building, which commissioners suggested could be adorned with some type of mural or other design. Commissioners also pointed out that a different material could be used to make the building’s elevator shaft more visually interesting, and that there might be a benefit to putting the balconies on the Downtown side of the building.”

 

I'm glad they pushed back on the elevator shaft, otherwise it's always great to add more housing to the area. 

On 6/23/2022 at 10:38 AM, NightNectar said:

OBM Always seems to do good work. 

 

Seems ironic that this would be allowed when the Cap development had to remain a blank wall on both sides to avoid driver distractions. Times have changed lol

Have you ever tried to get off at Neil coming from the east or merge from Summit to 670?… I think you have your answer 🤣🤣🤣 and coming from the west isn’t much better!

Are there any concrete plans or proposals for the Dalia and BBR lots?

 

i saw the restaurant/bar spaces on the bottom of the AC are starting to have some work done. I wonder when Corso will announce what the concepts will be for those spaces.

17 minutes ago, 614love said:

Are there any concrete plans or proposals for the Dalia and BBR lots?

 

i saw the restaurant/bar spaces on the bottom of the AC are starting to have some work done. I wonder when Corso will announce what the concepts will be for those spaces.

It was only brought to the commission as a conceptual application. It didn’t seem the members wanted empty lots and i don’t think it has come back for a final vote 

5 minutes ago, VintageLife said:

It was only brought to the commission as a conceptual application. It didn’t seem the members wanted empty lots and i don’t think it has come back for a final vote 

Okay good. I hope they don’t end up like the old Endzone bar that as demolished and has been a gravel lot ever since.

1 hour ago, 614love said:

Are there any concrete plans or proposals for the Dalia and BBR lots?

 

i saw the restaurant/bar spaces on the bottom of the AC are starting to have some work done. I wonder when Corso will announce what the concepts will be for those spaces.

I'm fairly certain those are going to turn into parking lots for at least the next 2-3 years. This should be where people are parking to go to the North Market once the current parking lot turns into a huge construction zone. Hopefully they eventually get built out to be something cool once the Merchant's Tower is completed.

Edited August 8, 20222 yr by TIm

Bleh, I guess it was approved anyway. I’m not a fan of the fate of all these gravel lots being in the hands of NRI. 
 

Former Dahlia Nightclub in Arena District to be torn down, turned into parking lot

 

 

“The former Dahlia night club in the Arena District will be torn down at the beginning of next year. The Columbus Downtown Commission Tuesday approved the demolition of that building at 147 Vine St. to replace it with a gravel lot. The commission also approved the demolition of a building in the Warehouse District at 225 N. 6th St., which will become a paved parking lot.

 

The commission debated at length over the demolition of the building to create a surface lot. The commission typically does not approve demolishing a building without a new one planned to replace it. "Being asked to tear down an existing building on a hope and a prayer that something will be built there... I just struggle with it," Commissioner Bob Loversidge said.

 

Commissioners eventually came to the conclusion that it would be in the best interest of the city to tear down the building, put in a gravel lot and require that the owner, Adam Lewin and his family, come back to the commission in five years with a plan for the site or be in a zoning violation.
 

Lewin said he has communicated with NRI about the organization's long-term plans for the area and that he'd continue to communicate with NRI. "We want to position this (site) to be in a place to be redeveloped when NRI is ready to start developing the area comprehensively," he said.”

 

https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2022/10/25/downtown-columbus-to-add-parking-lots.html

There was no way it wasn't going to get approved. Not with the potential to impact the Merchant Building. There are too many wheels and big players in the success of Merchant in what has already been a lengthy process. 

 

I appreciate the him-hawing over it but the commission approved demolition on lots with no plans as recently as last year.  The bit about zoning violation is great. It's the first time I'm aware of them putting this stipulation in. I don't recall it for Marconi at Spring and the condition put on much more valuable property for Main Bar was 'a site plan OR parking lot upgrades to be in compliance within 2 years'. They him-hawed over the 2 story adjacent to the Madison projects as well but still approved it. One year down for Main Bar. 6 years since NRI bought the Marconi Garage.  Id be curious to see the actual number but I feel like we hear 'the commission generally doesn't like this but still approved it' almost as much as we hear 'the commission denied it'.

 

 

Edited October 25, 20222 yr by DTCL11

21 minutes ago, DTCL11 said:

There was no way it wasn't going to get approved. Not with the potential to impact the Merchant Building. There are too many wheels and big players in the success of Merchant in what has already been a lengthy process. 

 

I appreciate the him-hawing over it but the commission approved demolition on lots with no plans as recently as last year.  The bit about zoning violation is great. It's the first time I'm aware of them putting this stipulation in. I don't recall it for Marconi at Spring and the condition put on much more valuable property for Main Bar was 'a site plan OR parking lot upgrades to be in compliance within 2 years'. They him-hawed over the 2 story adjacent to the Madison projects as well but still approved it. One year down for Main Bar. 6 years since NRI bought the Marconi Garage.  Id be curious to see the actual number but I feel like we hear 'the commission generally doesn't like this but still approved it' almost as much as we hear 'the commission denied it'.

 

 

It is weird to me that this and the warehouse both get a “yes,” while Pizzuti was told “no” earlier this year, when Pizzuti is the only one who actually presented a solid plan to improve the site. 
 

It also concerns me having NRI being the developer for this whole area, when I could see them sitting on it another 10+ years. 

Yeah, NRI will do absolutely nothing exciting with this lot. It will be another brick 5 story, that will look like everything in grandview yard. Hopefully they decide to pass on it, or another developer offers the family better money. 

16 hours ago, VintageLife said:

Yeah, NRI will do absolutely nothing exciting with this lot. It will be another brick 5 story, that will look like everything in grandview yard. Hopefully they decide to pass on it, or another developer offers the family better money. 

I mean going from a tiny cramped nightclub to a 5 story brick building that people can live in is a huge improvement in my eyes.

2 hours ago, TIm said:

I mean going from a tiny cramped nightclub to a 5 story brick building that people can live in is a huge improvement in my eyes.

Oh definitely. I think the thought is more so that NRI has had a tendency to just sit on parcels in the city core as of late and that they've stuck to one format for their buildings. By choosing a real estate developer other than NRI, we can get something built there quicker that's more unique. At least that's the hope. 

29 minutes ago, CMHOhio said:

Oh definitely. I think the thought is more so that NRI has had a tendency to just sit on parcels in the city core as of late and that they've stuck to one format for their buildings. By choosing a real estate developer other than NRI, we can get something built there quicker that's more unique. At least that's the hope. 

This exactly. Of course any type of building would be better, but NRI doesn’t do anything exciting. 

3 hours ago, TIm said:

I mean going from a tiny cramped nightclub to a 5 story brick building that people can live in is a huge improvement in my eyes.

 

I know many will disagree, but I think that's part of the problem. Being an improvement is such a low bar, that praise will be showered all over a marginal project that doesn't really take advantage of the site's potential. 

From the CU article on this: 

 

Seems like we shouldn’t expect much from all these lots. It’s a shame NRI has so much pull. 

 

Lewin is the CEO of Hamilton Parker, the Columbus-based company that sells bricks and other building materials. His family also owns the gravel parking lot to the west of the former Dahlia building, two gravel parking lots across Vine Street, and the one-story building on Park Street that holds Gaswerks and Brothers Bar & Grill.

Lewin told the commission that paving and improving the lots they own would be “completely cost prohibitive and detrimental to development,” adding that the plan is to develop the lots in partnership with Nationwide Realty Investors (NRI), the developer of much of the Arena District.

“Where we are as a family, my conversation with my sisters has been, it is our generation’s responsibility to develop this property, we are not going to leave it to our kids to develop this…so that’s why we went into not just parceling out the development, but actually entering into an agreement with NRI,” he said.

 

1 hour ago, jonoh81 said:

 

I know many will disagree, but I think that's part of the problem. Being an improvement is such a low bar, that praise will be showered all over a marginal project that doesn't really take advantage of the site's potential. 

It's not a very big parcel of land. It's super skinny, probably take you 15 steps to get from one side to the other if that. I don't see many developers being interested in building a huge tower on this site when there are plenty of other larger parcels that are better suited for that type of development. There's a reason it's only creating 16 parking spot, it's a tiny piece of property. You'd really have to design something specifically for that piece of land, there just isn't the space to just carbon copy the normal 5 over 1 type buildings going up everywhere these days. Could be a cool spot for a skinny condo building or something else that's for sale units.

19 minutes ago, TIm said:

It's not a very big parcel of land. It's super skinny, probably take you 15 steps to get from one side to the other if that. I don't see many developers being interested in building a huge tower on this site when there are plenty of other larger parcels that are better suited for that type of development. There's a reason it's only creating 16 parking spot, it's a tiny piece of property. You'd really have to design something specifically for that piece of land, there just isn't the space to just carbon copy the normal 5 over 1 type buildings going up everywhere these days. Could be a cool spot for a skinny condo building or something else that's for sale units.

 

It could be a nice dog park for surrounding residential units, but that's not a big money maker. The only way I could think to monetize it would be to offer it as a "members only" facility and have surrounding buildings (Arena Crossing, Flats on Vine, Merchant Tower, and future developments) pay for access and then grant it to residents. 

1 hour ago, VintageLife said:

From the CU article on this: 

 

Seems like we shouldn’t expect much from all these lots. It’s a shame NRI has so much pull. 

 

Lewin is the CEO of Hamilton Parker, the Columbus-based company that sells bricks and other building materials. His family also owns the gravel parking lot to the west of the former Dahlia building, two gravel parking lots across Vine Street, and the one-story building on Park Street that holds Gaswerks and Brothers Bar & Grill.

Lewin told the commission that paving and improving the lots they own would be “completely cost prohibitive and detrimental to development,” adding that the plan is to develop the lots in partnership with Nationwide Realty Investors (NRI), the developer of much of the Arena District.

“Where we are as a family, my conversation with my sisters has been, it is our generation’s responsibility to develop this property, we are not going to leave it to our kids to develop this…so that’s why we went into not just parceling out the development, but actually entering into an agreement with NRI,” he said.

 

Here’s the link to that article:

 

https://columbusunderground.com/downtown-commission-approves-plans-for-two-demolitions-bw1/

 

Honestly, I feel a bit more hopeful about both the WD and AD sites after reading more of the quotes from the meeting in the CU article. Just knowing that there are plans in place and a push for further development in those areas. 
 

Tbh, I still don’t anticipate anything taller than 6 stories in the AD lots, but something good can still be done. I can’t remember if I’ve said it here before, but I would love to see something like the streets immediately surrounding Seattle’s Pike Place Market done here, with dozens of outdoor vendors, patios and retail lining the streets. I think the Vine and Spruce area would be great for that. 
 

23 minutes ago, amped91 said:

Here’s the link to that article:

 

https://columbusunderground.com/downtown-commission-approves-plans-for-two-demolitions-bw1/

 

Honestly, I feel a bit more hopeful about both the WD and AD sites after reading more of the quotes from the meeting in the CU article. Just knowing that there are plans in place and a push for further development in those areas. 
 

Tbh, I still don’t anticipate anything taller than 6 stories in the AD lots, but something good can still be done. I can’t remember if I’ve said it here before, but I would love to see something like the streets immediately surrounding Seattle’s Pike Place Market done here, with dozens of outdoor vendors, patios and retail lining the streets. I think the Vine and Spruce area would be great for that. 
 

It isn’t so much the height that bothers me about NRI. It’s the complete lack of any type of diversity with their builds. It’s all the same exact shade of brick, same height/layout. Mix it up a bit and make it something unique and cool. Make it the same mismatched style as the original buildings across from the convention center. It could be a mix of 4-6 and I wouldn’t care. Just want it to be something unique and interesting. 

2 hours ago, VintageLife said:

From the CU article on this: 

 

Seems like we shouldn’t expect much from all these lots. It’s a shame NRI has so much pull. 

 

Lewin is the CEO of Hamilton Parker, the Columbus-based company that sells bricks and other building materials. His family also owns the gravel parking lot to the west of the former Dahlia building, two gravel parking lots across Vine Street, and the one-story building on Park Street that holds Gaswerks and Brothers Bar & Grill.

Lewin told the commission that paving and improving the lots they own would be “completely cost prohibitive and detrimental to development,” adding that the plan is to develop the lots in partnership with Nationwide Realty Investors (NRI), the developer of much of the Arena District.

“Where we are as a family, my conversation with my sisters has been, it is our generation’s responsibility to develop this property, we are not going to leave it to our kids to develop this…so that’s why we went into not just parceling out the development, but actually entering into an agreement with NRI,” he said.

 

 

From the above description, I think this is the property Hamilton Parker holds. If done right, it could be a significant improvement!

 

 

29 minutes ago, Pablo said:

 

From the above description, I think this is the property Hamilton Parker holds. If done right, it could be a significant improvement!

 

 

They also own the BBR building that is just west of brothers, which isn’t circled. 

The "future development" site plan presented is not exactly inspiring, but I'm sure this is also in flux and very far off from being a real project 

 

42 minutes ago, NW24HX said:

The "future development" site plan presented is not exactly inspiring, but I'm sure this is also in flux and very far off from being a real project 

 

The land owners do say that in the CU article. They presented what could go in, but emphasized that they are not set in stone plans. 

4 hours ago, VintageLife said:

It isn’t so much the height that bothers me about NRI. It’s the complete lack of any type of diversity with their builds. It’s all the same exact shade of brick, same height/layout. Mix it up a bit and make it something unique and cool. Make it the same mismatched style as the original buildings across from the convention center. It could be a mix of 4-6 and I wouldn’t care. Just want it to be something unique and interesting. 

 

There was a long-gone user on here that insisted developers needed to build a lot more megablocks -- in places like Franklinton for example and would have liked it for this site. 10 years after the user left we're all burnt out on megablocks like we see from NRI and have gotten something so much better underway in Franklinton.

Before demo (10-23-22)

 

 

 

On 6/23/2022 at 9:57 AM, amped91 said:

^Probably something something supply chain. 🙄
 

I do like the proposed video sign for the hotel, though:

 

 

They really need some color on this. On a gloomy day-and we have our fair share-going by this on 670 it looks very dark and kinda foreboding to me.

1 minute ago, Toddguy said:

They really need some color on this. On a gloomy day-and we have our fair share-going by this on 670 it looks very dark and kinda foreboding to me.

They just need to cap the highway right there, and it wouldn’t even matter haha. 

I'd prefer they add a mural or print type ad rather than a video board. This may be the old man in me, but the city seems to have zero regulation around the brightness of those boards adjusting down at night. They look fine during the day, but they are eyeball searing at night. The one at state and high is a perfect example of this. Probably best not to have that overlooking a highway merge point. 

1 hour ago, 17thState said:

I'd prefer they add a mural or print type ad rather than a video board. This may be the old man in me, but the city seems to have zero regulation around the brightness of those boards adjusting down at night. They look fine during the day, but they are eyeball searing at night. The one at state and high is a perfect example of this. Probably best not to have that overlooking a highway merge point. 

That’s actually part of what they complained about I believe. This one and a video board for the garage in Jeffery park. They said they want it to be dimmable at night. The seniors at the towers might have been in on that, if so good for them. 

I believe both video boards were withdrawn due to objections by the city due to I-670 being an area of "special graphics control" which prohibits billboards and off-site advertising

 

Unless this section of code is modified by city council, I don't think either proposal can move forward

 

https://library.municode.com/oh/columbus/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TIT33ZOCO_CH3380STARSPGRCO_3380.102I-ARSPGRCO

 

This is the same section of code used to kill NRI's billboards and other signage along the 670 facing side of the Chipotle parking garage

 

Edited October 29, 20222 yr by NW24HX

Anyone happen to know if the utilities work on Neil and Vine here has to do with the transmission line rerouting? I noticed the equipment staged for this behind the Chipotle garage for about a week now. Would be nice to see the ball rolling on the apartments soon. 
 

2 minutes ago, amped91 said:

Anyone happen to know if the utilities work on Neil and Vine here has to do with the transmission line rerouting? I noticed the equipment staged for this behind the Chipotle garage for about a week now. Would be nice to see the ball rolling on the apartments soon. 
 

 

Not sure if it's in here or not, but I always think this is a nice reference on infrastructure projects that the City of Columbus is working on.  (Unfortunately, Franklin County and State of Ohio projects aren't included.)

 

https://www.columbus.gov/dps_projects/

 

6 minutes ago, Luvcbus said:

 

Not sure if it's in here or not, but I always think this is a nice reference on infrastructure projects that the City of Columbus is working on.  (Unfortunately, Franklin County and State of Ohio projects aren't included.)

 

https://www.columbus.gov/dps_projects/

 

I don’t see it in there, but thanks!

1 hour ago, amped91 said:

Anyone happen to know if the utilities work on Neil and Vine here has to do with the transmission line rerouting? I noticed the equipment staged for this behind the Chipotle garage for about a week now. Would be nice to see the ball rolling on the apartments soon. 
 

Pretty sure they are burying the electric lines on this section of Vine and Cherry,

16 hours ago, Whopper Jr said:

Pretty sure they are burying the electric lines on this section of Vine and Cherry,

Nothing gets me going like the burying of power lines and other utilities! Hate seeing nice areas, or any areas really, with a sky full of wires and poles.

36 minutes ago, TIm said:

Nothing gets me going like the burying of power lines and other utilities! Hate seeing nice areas, or any areas really, with a sky full of wires and poles.

I agree. Especially in downtown or an in up-and-coming or high profile area, that should be a no-brainer.  If whole areas are being redeveloped(and densified)as in Weinland Park, etc., there should not be a tangled mess of wires to for people to have to look at.  You would think that if they could not bury it all they could at least streamline it. Some places look almost like favelas in Brazil with so many tangled lines lol.

2 hours ago, Toddguy said:

I agree. Especially in downtown or an in up-and-coming or high profile area, that should be a no-brainer.  If whole areas are being redeveloped(and densified)as in Weinland Park, etc., there should not be a tangled mess of wires to for people to have to look at.  You would think that if they could not bury it all they could at least streamline it. Some places look almost like favelas in Brazil with so many tangled lines lol.

I know a few places in Columbus where they did roadway improvements, so they installed new sidewalks and planted sapling trees in the ROW...with overhead powerlines right above it. Do they think about the potential hazards with that?